Gaborone:  Members of Parliament issued an ultimatum on Friday to the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Lesego Motsumi to table a Bill on Declaration of Assets and Liabilities by national leaders before end of the year or they will back efforts by Gaborone Central MP Dumelang Saleshando to drive the matter forward.

They said that if she fails to table the bill, which has been pending for 12 years, they would have no option but to support the one mooted by Saleshando. The deadline comes after Motsumi revealed that she intends to bring a bill on declaration of assets following the tabling of a motion by Saleshando two weeks ago. The Gaborone Central MP failed to get permission from Parliament to draft and table a private members bill on the issue.

On Friday, maverick Francistown East MP, Wynter Mmolotsi told the House that he was ready to declare his assets and liabilities saying it would save him from members of the public who believe that MPs are overpaid. "Even if you were to give me a piece of paper right now, I would write down my list of belongings and liabilities and continue with the debate.  It won't even take five minutes of my time," he stated.

He said that if the declaration of assets law is in place, people would stop thinking that politicians are crooks who are in the system to enrich themselves and their relatives.  He added that declaration would curb corruption that is so rampant in African politics. He said there are no crooks in Botswana politics but loopholes in a system could tempt honest people to cheat and enrich themselves.  The MP said that he would wait for Motsumi to bring the bill to the House and thanked Saleshando for bringing the motion.

Earlier, Gaborone West South MP Botsalo Ntuane, another ruling party maverick said that he supports the declaration of assets but the minister should be given time to panel beat the old bill and bring it to the House before the end of the year. He said declaration of assets would give Botswana integrity and promote transparency, accountability and honesty. He said that Botswana is a modern democracy and should be seen as such in practice.

He dismissed as irrelevant an argument by Vice President  Mompati Merafhe two weeks ago that Saleshando was trying the limelight from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) by his motion seeking to bring a bill on declaration of assets.

Ntuane quoted President Ian Khama in his State of the Nation Address last year in which he said politicians should set aside their political differences to serve the entire nation.

The MP for Nkange, Edwin Batshu and Shoshong MP Dikgang Makgalemele supported the motion by Saleshando. Batshu said that it has always been his wish to see national leaders declaring their assets. He quoted Vision 2016 that seeks to see Botswana as a transparent nation and the BDP election manifesto that says the party is committed to transparency and accountability. 

The motion on declaration of assets and liabilities was tabled 12 years ago by then Specially Elected MP Joy Phumaphi. But the government has failed to formulate a bill to enact the law on the matter.